"I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I know that full well." Sofie uttered these words to me softly as I tucked her into bed the other night. With a sweet smile on her face, she shared with me a beautiful truth, a scripture, she had practiced at church that evening. I looked into her honey brown eyes and told her how I thought God was "showing off" the day he made her and that I was super lucky that He chose me to be me her Mom. Then, I kissed her goodnight, turned off her light, and closed her door behind me. It was one of those mountaintop moments as a parent. My heart was bursting with praise and gratitude for my daughter was beginning to understand who God made her to be.
But as with so many challenges in parenting, I was quick to find we had taken one step forward only to go two steps back. For, the very next evening, I was drying tears that were the result of some cruel remarks made by a careless classmate. Words like "ugly" and "terrible" pierced her heart and wounded her spirit in ways that made me burn with anger. It didn't matter that the words weren't true. What mattered was how Sofie felt about those words...and the effect they had on her once they had been uttered.
She was devastated. Then and there, I acknowledged that we had a long way to go if Sofie's self-image was going to be firmly rooted in Christ. Gently, I reminded her of the truth she had shared with me only the night before. "Who made you, Sofie?" I whispered softly. I wanted her full attention. "God did." "That's right," I replied, "And what does God say about you?" Once more, she recited Psalm 139:14. I continued, "God says you are wonderful. It doesn't matter what other people say. Their words only matter if you let them matter. I know they hurt. But don't let them tell you who you are. Only God can do that. He never uses words like 'ugly' or 'terrible' when he speaks of you."
Today, Sofie left for school a bit more tense than usual. Her face revealed a heart that was unsettled and nervous. I took her small hands in mine, kissed her forehead and prayed over her. And as she walked out the door, I reminded her, "Be the Sofie that God made you to be...for you are fearfully and wonderfully made." Truly, she is a masterpiece. I know that full well. Even if she has forgotten.
While she has been at school, I have done a bit of word study. The Bible says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made". But what does that mean exactly? My daughter needs to know. Perhaps we all could use a reminder. Here is what I found...
Fearfully means to "stand in awe", "to cause astonishment", "to inspire reverence".
Wonderfully implies we are "wonderful, distinct, distinguished, set apart".
In essence, God is saying that each and every one of us is a masterpiece, created by Him, to bring Him glory. By His hand, we were created. And by His Word we are said to be...
Astonishing.
Inspiring.
Wonderful.
Distinct.
Distinguished.
Set apart.
Like Sofie, the truth is short and sweet. Indeed, we are ALL fearfully and wonderfully made. In a word...Sofie is a masterpiece. So are you.
